Geetha Kumar

As a little girl riding the bus to school everyday, I would be on the look out for a specific bus stop where an old man sat behind a manual pottery wheel and a little boy helped him turn it. I marveled at the'magic' he created with clay. Fast forward several years, I got my first opportunity to be behind a pottery wheel, and my fascination became a reality! Ever since I have been hooked.

As a diplomat's wife, I have had the privilege of experiencing art and culture from around the world. I studied Italian style of Majolica painting in Milan, Italy and continued my practice at Casa Italiana Cultural Center in Washington DC under the well renowned Italian maestro, Roberto Paolinelli. In addition to the Italian Renaissance patterns and colors, Ottoman designs from Turkey, Mughal influences from India, Native American patterns and colors have been incorporated into my repertoire, and I am always looking for new opportunities.

I am constantly experimenting with various kinds of clays, trying out various techniques on the wheel and building forms, different kinds of glazes and firing temperatures, always keeping the excitement light on! Never afraid to make mistakes and try again.

My work has been displayed at the Annual Clay International 2016, a juried event conducted by Workhouse Art Center, Lorton VA. One of my pieces won 2nd place at the Artful Dimensions Gallery Juried Event 2017. I have donated pieces for charity events and made bowls for Empty Bowl projects benefiting a local homeless shelter.